Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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Attention to the pain that occurs during treatments and procedures for pediatric patients with cancer continues to be a priority. This article describes the development of a pain effectiveness outcome measure at an academic pediatric medical center in order to inform about the implementation of quality improvement strategies and evaluate the effect of these pain interventions within the hospital setting.
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Ambulatory and outpatient centers constantly are challenged with administrating cancer treatments in an efficient and safe way. With the advent of numerous novel cancer medications known to cause hypersensitivity reactions, nurses have become experts in managing these emergencies. ⋯ That is largely a result of nurses' ability to immediately identify the need for emergency intervention, thus preventing the sequelae of patient deterioration that could lead to cardiopulmonary arrest. This article describes how the authors' institution developed methods to improve emergency care by bridging the gap between knowledge and experience of handling life-threatening emergencies.
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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are perceived as an alternative to standard tobacco cigarette smoking, primarily because of the e-cigarette industry's marketing messages. However, scientific studies about e-cigarette safety and efficacy remain limited. This column presents some of the issues associated with e-cigarette use, such as potential components of regulation, perceptions that e-cigarettes can help users quit smoking, and free-wheeling marketing strategies that include expanding e-cigarette use to young people. Nurses can be a reliable source of information about e-cigarettes.
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As valuable members of the oncology team, acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are in the perfect position to deliver high-quality palliative care. They are instrumental in coordinating the palliative care needs of their patients. ⋯ Along with oncology-certified nurses, ACNPs help their patients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. The skills that the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer identified in its standard for palliative care are skills possessed by ACNPs, making them the perfect fit to carry out these standards in healthcare institutions around the United States.